Alanson’s work clicked for me because it doesn’t take itself too seriously. 'Columbus Day' could’ve been another grimdark military romp, but instead we get sentient machinery with a god complex and humans winging it. It’s refreshing to see sci-fi that remembers fun is allowed. Bonus: the audiobook version turns Skippy’s rants into comedy gold.
Craig Alanson’s the guy! I binged 'Columbus Day' during a road trip, and wow, did it make the miles fly by. The way he writes Joe Bishop—this regular grunt caught up in intergalactic nonsense—feels so relatable. Like, who hasn’t wanted to sass-talk an ancient AI while saving humanity? The book’s got this perfect blend of 'what the heck is happening' and 'I can’t stop turning pages.'
The name 'Columbus Day' immediately makes me think of the Expeditionary Force series, which totally hooked me with its mix of military sci-fi and hilarious alien shenanigans. The mastermind behind it is Craig Alanson, who somehow made a talking beer can (yes, you read that right) into one of the most memorable characters in sci-fi. I stumbled onto the series after a friend kept raving about 'Skippy the Magnificent,' and now I’m deep into the audiobooks—R.C. Bray’s narration is pure gold.
What’s wild is how Alanson balances absurd humor with legit high-stakes space opera. One minute you’re laughing at Skippy’s ego, the next you’re white-knuckling through a battle scene. It’s rare to find an author who nails both tones without whiplash. If you dig 'The Martian’s' wit but crave more alien chaos, this’s your jam.
I’ll admit, I almost skipped 'Columbus Day' because the cover looked like standard military SF—but man, was I wrong. Alanson sneaks in so much personality. The dynamic between Joe and Skippy reminds me of buddy cop movies, except one’s a human and the other’s a megalomaniacal AI. Now I recommend it to anyone who claims sci-fi lacks humor.
Craig Alanson, folks! His 'Columbus Day' series is like if 'Hitchhiker’s Guide' had a baby with 'Black Hawk Down.' The books are my go-to when I need a laugh wrapped in spaceship battles. Pro tip: read them in order—Skippy’s character arc is weirdly profound for a beer can.
2025-12-08 20:22:46
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In this game, peace isn't free, you have to pay for it in blood, truth, or with everything you own.
Olivia Morgan never believed in monsters, but the woods outside her hometown seem to disagree.
Haunted by dreams she’s never been able to explain, Olivia’s life takes a sharp turn one Halloween night when she discovers a black wolf caged beneath silver bars.
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As Olivia unlocks her dormant powers and unearths secrets about her parents’ deaths, she realizes nothing is as it seems.
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On the morning of her fifth wedding anniversary, Javier Lea receives the news she and her husband have waited five long years to hear—she's pregnant. Overjoyed, she plans the perfect anniversary dinner, hoping to surprise billionaire CEO Alex Swan with the little pair of baby shoes that will announce they're finally becoming parents.
But Alex never comes home. Instead, he spends the night welcoming back Camille Mia, the woman he once promised to marry before fate tore them apart six years ago. Their reunion quickly becomes headline news, leaving Javier to watch from home as her husband publicly dances with his first love on the very night he was supposed to celebrate their marriage.
Alex insists Camille is nothing more than an old friend, but his actions tell a different story. As Camille becomes part of his daily life and rumors begin spreading through the city, Javier's trust slowly crumbles. Unable to reveal her pregnancy and unwilling to beg for her husband's attention, she quietly walks away, leaving behind the surprise that changes Alex's world forever.
When Alex discovers he's about to become a father, he realizes that the greatest mistake of his life wasn't forgetting an anniversary—it was forgetting the woman who had always stood beside him.
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My husband promised we would spend Thanksgiving with my parents this year.
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I stood in the entryway with my fingers frozen around my scarf.
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Whenever I asked him why, he always said the same thing: "Cassia and I grew up together. She’s basically family."
The Italian espresso machine I wanted went to her apartment. He said her old machine had broken anyway.
The sapphire bracelet for our wedding anniversary was signed for by her. He said asking for it back after she opened it would look petty.
The sunflowers and baby's breath he promised me on Valentine's Day ended up in her hands. He said she had already put them in a vase, and he couldn't give me secondhand flowers.
This time, I had reminded him for two weeks. The Thanksgiving basket had a low-sugar pumpkin pie, nut-free cookies, and a custom low-sodium turkey roll for my father. I had chosen every item myself.
It still went to Cassia.
I kept my voice steady. "Drive over and get it back."
Roman's face darkened. "She already signed for it. What do you want me to do? We'll pick up wine and pastries on the way. Same thing."
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I stopped arguing and watched him slam the door behind him.
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[Happy Thanksgiving. Please draft a divorce agreement for me. Thank you.]
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Ever stumbled upon a book that feels like a thrilling ride from the first page? That's how I felt with 'Columbus Day' by Craig Alanson. The story kicks off with humanity getting a rude awakening when an alien species called the Ruhar attacks Earth. Just when things look bleak, another alien group, the Elder Races, steps in—but they’re not exactly knights in shining armor. They offer protection, but at a steep price: humans must serve as their expendable soldiers in a galactic war. The protagonist, Joe Bishop, a regular guy turned soldier, gets dragged into this mess and ends up forming an unlikely alliance with an ancient AI named Skippy. The dynamic between Joe and Skippy is pure gold—full of sarcasm, wit, and heart. What starts as a desperate fight for survival turns into a wild adventure across the cosmos, with twists that keep you glued to the page. The blend of military sci-fi, humor, and cosmic politics makes this one of those books you can’t put down.
I love how Alanson balances high-stakes action with moments of levity. Joe’s everyman perspective makes the sprawling galactic conflict feel personal, and Skippy’s antics add a layer of fun that’s rare in hard sci-fi. The book’s exploration of human resilience and ingenuity in the face of overwhelming odds resonates deeply. It’s not just about aliens and spaceships; it’s about what happens when ordinary people are thrust into extraordinary circumstances. If you’re into sci-fi with a side of humor and heart, this one’s a must-read.
Man, what a wild question! Columbus Day actually reminds me of that hilarious sci-fi series 'Expeditionary Force' by Craig Alanson. The first book is literally titled 'Columbus Day,' and it's this awesome mashup of military sci-fi and comedy. The main character, Joe Bishop, gets thrown into this interstellar conflict, and his sarcastic AI sidekick, Skippy, is hands-down one of the funniest characters I've ever encountered in books.
What makes the series stand out is how it balances high-stakes action with laugh-out-loud moments. I burned through the audiobooks because the narrator captures Skippy's snark perfectly. The series has grown to like 15 books now, and while some entries are stronger than others, 'Columbus Day' remains a solid introduction to this universe of space marines, ancient alien tech, and beer-can-shaped AIs with god complexes.